An unidentified New York City firefighter walks away from ground zero after the collapse of the Twin Towers.An unidentified New York City firefighter walks away from the World Trade Center (file/credit: Anthony Correia/Getty Images)

As WCBS 880’s Sean Adams reported, Thursday is the deadline to register for the $2.8 billion fund.

There has been a surge in registration in recent weeks. The Victim Compensation Fund covers those already sick or anyone who fears they may become sick due to the toxic dust that lingered in the air over lower Manhattan following the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Just Days Left To Register For Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund

“We’re registering dozens a day. We’ve been at it for the last several months. VCF is now up to 40,000 people registered but I have my reservations. I’m afraid if one person gets left out on Oct. 3 then we’ve failed,” John Feal with the Fealgood Foundation told Adams.

The majority of those who’ve registered are first responders and construction workers who dug through the smoldering pile at the World Trade Center site for months. Others are people who lived and worked in the area.

Most have respiratory and digestive issues from the toxic dust, Adams reported.

“You don’t have to be sick to register. You’re not filing a claim or anything, you’re just registering to be covered under the bill. You know the bill expires in 2016, so we have a two and a half year window,” said Feal.

Those enrolled in any of the World Trade Center medical programs must also register for the Victim Compensation Fund to be eligible.